Pacific Jeans Group shuts 7 factories indefinitely after worker unrest in Ctg EPZ
According to the company’s notices, the unrest began on 14 October when a section of workers stopped work, disconnected power lines, and forced others to join an "illegal" strike.
Pacific Jeans Group has announced an indefinite closure of all seven of its factories inside the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), following days of labour unrest, vandalism, and clashes that left several people injured.
The factories — Pacific Jeans, Universal Jeans, Pacific Workwears, Pacific Attires, Jeans 2000, NHT Fashions, and Pacific Accessories — were declared closed on last night (16 October) through separate notices signed by Managing Director Syed Mohammad Tanvir.
Anwarul Islam, general manager (HRM) of Pacific Jeans Group, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard this evening (17 October).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Superintendent of Chattogram Industrial Police Abdullah Al Mahmud said around 41,000 people, including 35,000 workers, are employed across the group's facilities. "We are trying our best to resolve the issues and reopen the factories as soon as possible," he told The Business Standard.
According to the company's notices, the unrest began on 14 October when a section of workers stopped work, disconnected power lines, and forced others to join an "illegal" strike. The management said the agitating workers also stormed other factories under the group, halting production there as well.
Despite repeated instructions to return to work, the workers continued their "unruly and unlawful" activities over the next two days, engaging in fights, vandalising property, and assaulting officials, the company said.
"The workers' actions amount to an illegal strike under the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act 2019," the Pacific Jeans Group said in its notice, adding that the management had no choice but to suspend operations indefinitely under Section 12(1) of the same law.
The company said the factories will reopen once a "favourable environment" is restored and that a new date will be announced later.
Pacific Jeans is one of Bangladesh's largest denim exporters, producing jeans worth about $400 million annually.
The latest unrest traces back to 9 October, when workers of one of the group's factories began protesting after learning that police had sent letters to their village homes to verify permanent addresses as part of an investigation into a January case involving vandalism of a police vehicle.
The letters sparked panic among workers, who feared arrest, prompting hundreds to leave their workstations and demonstrate inside a factory compound. The management temporarily closed the plant for the day, which further angered the workers. Protests spread across the CEPZ area, with groups chanting slogans and blocking entry points.
Chattogram Industrial Police Superintendent Abdullah Al Mahmud earlier told The Business Standard that the protest was the result of "a misunderstanding."
"We clarified to the workers that the investigation was procedural and not intended to harass them. After discussions, they agreed to withdraw the protest," he said.
Although production resumed briefly, tensions persisted. By Yesterday, clashes broke out and several management staff were allegedly assaulted. At least 27 workers and employees were reportedly injured in the violence, prompting the company to shut down all eight factories indefinitely.
